Tachometer Makes Tiny Toyota Even Better
What could make a best-selling compact car even better? Perhaps more options, more horsepower or even more interior space? Maybe, but as Tony Wearing, Managing Director of
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| More options, more horsepower and even more interior space make the 2005 Echo Hatchback even better. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
Toyota Canada Inc. said, "For 2005, we've added just one thing to enhance the lively driving experience (of the Echo Hatchback) - a tachometer." It seems like a small upgrade for a small car, but it does make a big difference.In prior test drives of the Echo Hatchback, I thought to myself how beneficial a tachometer would be. Although it is not essential to operating the vehicle, it can be useful for those learning to drive or for those, like me, who tend to glance more at the tachometer rather than the speedometer. What's even better is the clever positioning of the tach; it sits closer to the driver than the speedometer does, something I also find useful in cars.
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| I felt compelled to call my test Echo the 'back-to-the-basics mobile.' (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
However, I am still not fond of the centre-mounted instrument cluster where the gauges lie. I must admit, it is growing on me, but I am not completely convinced that this is the best way to do it. Nevertheless, the centre-mount system did receive a small perk-up, as the backdrop has slightly changed, making it sleeker-looking and easier to read.
What I am a fan of is the driving experience in the tiny Echo. This time around, the Hatchback didn't have all the bells and whistles like our test vehicles usually do, so I felt compelled to call my test Echo the 'back-to-the-basics mobile.' It had the basics, and I mean 'base'ics.
